U.S. patent application number 14/384511 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for diaphragm valve.
The applicant listed for this patent is FESTO AG & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Andreas Buhler.
Application Number | 20150041691 14/384511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47901006 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150041691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buhler; Andreas |
February 12, 2015 |
Diaphragm Valve
Abstract
A diaphragm valve has a valve housing and a valve member movable
relative to said housing. The valve member includes a diaphragm
carrier that can be driven to execute a switchover motion having a
sealing diaphragm mounted thereon, which delimits a valve chamber
in which a valve seat is found. The sealing diaphragm has a sealing
section opposite said valve seat belonging at least partially to a
loose diaphragm section of the sealing diaphragm, which can lift
from the diaphragm carrier to reduce the stress on the sealing
diaphragm when said diaphragm carrier is removed from the valve
seat during switching.
Inventors: |
Buhler; Andreas; (Stuttgart,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FESTO AG & Co. KG |
Esslingen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
47901006 |
Appl. No.: |
14/384511 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
March 11, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/000715 |
371 Date: |
September 11, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/129.01 ;
251/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 7/126 20130101;
F16K 31/0672 20130101; F16K 7/14 20130101; F16K 31/0641 20130101;
F16K 7/12 20130101; F16K 31/10 20130101; F16K 31/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
251/129.01 ;
251/331 |
International
Class: |
F16K 7/12 20060101
F16K007/12; F16K 31/02 20060101 F16K031/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 14, 2012 |
DE |
102012005093.3 |
Claims
1. A diaphragm valve, having a valve housing and at least one valve
member movable relative to this housing, wherein the valve member
has a diaphragm carrier movable relative to the valve housing
through the execution of a switchover movement and also a flexible
sealing diaphragm which, together with the valve housing, bounds a
valve chamber, wherein the sealing diaphragm is fixed to the valve
housing under sealing at its outer edge section and has a mounting
diaphragm section fastened to the diaphragm carrier with clearance
from said outer edge section and accompanying the switchover
movement, wherein there is mounted in the valve chamber a valve
seat facing the sealing diaphragm, against which a sealing section
of the sealing diaphragm at least partly supported by a base
surface of the diaphragm carrier facing the valve chamber may be
pressed with sealing, in order to separate from one another two
fluid passages opening into the valve chamber and wherein the
sealing section is at least partly a constituent part of a loose
diaphragm section of the sealing diaphragm which extends, without
being fastened to the diaphragm carrier, from the mounting
diaphragm section to the outer edge section of the sealing
diaphragm fixed to the valve housing, so that it is able to lift
from the base surface of the diaphragm carrier when the diaphragm
carrier moves away from the valve seat during its switchover
movement.
2. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the switchover
movement of the diaphragm carrier is a linear movement.
3. A diaphragm valve according to claim 2, wherein the diaphragm
carrier is plunger-like and has an end face forming the base
surface.
4. A diaphragm valve according to claim 3, wherein the mounting
diaphragm section in the area of the base surface of the diaphragm
carrier is arranged with radial clearance from the outer contour of
the base surface on all sides within this contour, while being
located in the central area of the base surface.
5. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the loose
diaphragm section frames the mounting diaphragm section all round
in an area covered by the base surface.
6. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve seat
is annular and closed, so that it frames the passage opening of a
fluid passage, while the assigned sealing section of the sealing
diaphragm is also annular and belongs at least in part to the loose
diaphragm section.
7. A diaphragm valve according to claim 6, wherein the annular
sealing section in its totality is a part of the loose diaphragm
section, so that it can lift up completely from the base surface of
the diaphragm carrier when the latter is moved away from the valve
seat in the course of its switchover movement.
8. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve seat
is designed in a web-like manner so as to extend between two side
wall sections of the valve chamber, dividing the valve chamber into
two chamber sections, wherein the assigned sealing section is
strip-like in shape and belongs at least in part to the loose
diaphragm section.
9. A diaphragm valve according to claim 8, wherein the sealing
section is formed partly by the mounting diaphragm section, so that
it is able to lift only partly from the base surface of the
diaphragm carrier when the latter moves away from the valve seat
during its switchover movement, wherein the mounting diaphragm
section is provided between two parts of the sealing section which
are able to lift from the diaphragm carrier.
10. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the sealing
diaphragm is fastened to the diaphragm carrier solely in the
interior of the diaphragm carrier.
11. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the sealing
diaphragm is part of a one-piece diaphragm body, which has in the
area of the mounting diaphragm section at least one mounting
extension, extending from the base surface to engage into the
diaphragm carrier.
12. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the loose
diaphragm section of the sealing diaphragm extends outwards around
the base surface of the diaphragm carrier, beyond the outer contour
of the base surface and has a diaphragm outer section bordering the
base surface on the outside and merging into the outer edge section
fixed to the valve housing.
13. A diaphragm valve according to claim 12, wherein the diaphragm
outer section of the sealing diaphragm is covered and may be
supported on its upper side which faces away from the valve chamber
by a support wall of the valve housing which expediently extends as
far as the diaphragm carrier.
14. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve
chamber and the sealing diaphragm each have a round contour or an
oblong contour which is rounded on the narrow sides.
15. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve
contains electrically actuable drive means for actuation of the
valve member.
16. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve
contains a diaphragm body divided functionally into two sealing
diaphragms, each connected to a separate diaphragm carrier and able
to cooperate with a separate valve seat each, wherein the two
diaphragm carriers are plunger-like in form and may be moved
linearly and parallel to one another in executing a linear
switchover movement, and wherein the two diaphragm carriers are
also coupled to one another for driving purposes by means of a
rocker-like pivotable operating lever in such a way that the one
diaphragm carrier approaches its assigned valve seat when the other
diaphragm carrier is lifted from its assigned valve seat, wherein
the operating lever may be driven by electrically actuable drive
means to perform a to-and-fro pivoting movement and has two driving
arms each of them cooperating with one of the two diaphragm
carriers, so that the pivoting movement of the operating lever is
converted into the linear switchover movement of the two diaphragm
carriers.
17. A diaphragm valve according to claim 16, wherein three fluid
passages open into the valve chamber, of which two fluid passages
are each assigned to one of two annular valve seats, each
cooperating with one of the two sealing diaphragms formed as an
integral part of the one-piece diaphragm body.
18. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve seat
is annular and closed in a manner framing the passage opening of a
fluid passage, wherein the assigned sealing section of the sealing
diaphragm is also annular and an integral part of the loose
diaphragm section, so that it is able to lift completely from the
base surface of the diaphragm carrier when the latter moves away
from the valve seat in the course of its switchover movement,
wherein the sealing diaphragm is part of a one-piece diaphragm body
which has in the area of the mounting diaphragm section at least
one mounting extension engaging into the diaphragm carrier from the
base surface and wherein both the valve chamber and the diaphragm
body have an oblong contour, rounded on the narrow sides.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a diaphragm valve, having a valve
housing and at least one valve member movable relative to this
housing, wherein the valve member has a diaphragm carrier movable
relative to the valve housing through the execution of a switchover
movement and also a flexible sealing diaphragm which, together with
the valve housing, bounds a valve chamber, wherein the sealing
diaphragm is fixed to the valve housing under sealing at its outer
edge section and has a mounting diaphragm section fastened to the
diaphragm carrier with clearance from said outer edge section and
accompanying the switchover movement, wherein there is mounted in
the valve chamber a valve seat facing the sealing diaphragm,
against which a sealing section of the sealing diaphragm at least
partly supported by a base surface of the diaphragm carrier facing
the valve chamber may be pressed with sealing, in order to separate
from one another two fluid passages opening into the valve
chamber.
[0002] A diaphragm valve of this type known from EP 1 722 137 A2
contains at least one valve member, mounted in a valve housing and
comprising a sealing diaphragm bounding a valve chamber, and a
diaphragm carrier which carries the sealing diaphragm and is
designed in the manner of a plunger and may be moved linearly
relative to the valve housing. The diaphragm carrier supports with
its base surface an annular sealing section of the sealing
diaphragm which may be brought into contact with an annular valve
seat located in the valve chamber, so as to separate from one
another two fluid passages opening into the valve chamber. The
sealing section is part of a diaphragm section fixed to the valve
member and which may be described as the mounting diaphragm section
and which accompanies the switchover movement of the diaphragm
carrier. At its outer edge section the sealing diaphragm is clamped
with sealing to the valve housing. A disadvantage of the known
diaphragm valve lies in the fact that, during switchover of the
valve member, the sealing diaphragm is for a time heavily stretched
and therefore subject to great stress, which may have a
disadvantageous effect on its service life.
[0003] Known from DE 20023225 U1 is a diaphragm valve of similar
design, which has two valve members, each containing a diaphragm
carrier designed in the manner of a plunger, and a sealing
diaphragm fastened to the diaphragm carrier and cooperating with a
valve seat, wherein the sealing diaphragms may be made in one piece
with a diaphragm body.
[0004] DE 60017310 T2 discloses a diaphragm valve with a valve
housing with a diaphragm carrier carrying a sealing diaphragm and
suspended from a valve housing. With its base surface the diaphragm
carrier supports two sealing sections of the sealing diaphragm,
each able to cooperate with a separate valve seat in order to
connect with or separate from one another altogether three fluid
passages opening into a valve chamber. The switching position of
the valve carrier may be preset by drive means which act on the
diaphragm carrier and generate its pivoting switchover movement.
With this diaphragm valve too there is the problem that the
flexible sealing diaphragm, especially in the diaphragm section
extending between the diaphragm carrier and the fixed edge section,
is heavily stretched and subject to high tensile stresses.
[0005] In the case of a diaphragm valve known from DE 20 2009 016
447 U1, a sealing diaphragm is fastened to a pivotable diaphragm
carrier only in the area of two sealing sections, each opposite a
valve seat. The problems of a sealing diaphragm which is heavily
stressed on account of its being stretched also apply to this
diaphragm valve. The same applies to the diaphragm valve described
in DE 20 2009 000 593 U1, in which the diaphragm valve is pivotable
in the manner of a rocker, in order to change the switching
position of the valve.
[0006] A diaphragm valve known from DE 7324333 U has a sealing
diaphragm which seals a valve chamber and which is held tight by a
stiffening plate. Projections extending away from the sealing
diaphragm pass through the stiffening plate and rest on an
actuating element mounted pivotably independent of the sealing
diaphragm in a valve housing. The sealing diaphragm does not take
part in the pivoting movement of the diaphragm carrier, which
impairs the available valve stroke.
[0007] FR 2795798 A discloses a diaphragm valve with a valve member
which has a pivotable diaphragm carrier and a diaphragm body
fastened to the diaphragm carrier, wherein the diaphragm body forms
a sealing diaphragm, fixed in the valve housing at the edge with
sealing. In pivoting of the diaphragm carrier, a diaphragm section
of the sealing diaphragm bordering the diaphragm carrier is subject
to high tensile stress, which can impair life expectancy.
[0008] Further types of diaphragm valve are known from U.S. Pat.
No. 6,789,781 B2, WO 2004/005778 A1, GB 596533 A, DE 102005021583
A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,867 B2.
[0009] The invention is based on the problem of creating a
diaphragm valve with a sealing diaphragm which is subject to low
stress in order to gain high life expectancy.
[0010] To solve this problem it is provided that, in conjunction
with the features described above, the sealing section is at least
partly a constituent of a loose diaphragm section of the sealing
diaphragm which extends, without being fastened to the diaphragm
carrier, from the mounting diaphragm section to the outer edge
section of the sealing diaphragm fixed to the valve housing, so
that it is able to lift from the base surface of the diaphragm
carrier when the diaphragm carrier removes itself from the valve
seat during its switchover movement.
[0011] In this way, to break the fluid connection of two fluid
passages, a sealing section of the sealing diaphragm is also
pressed with sealing, by the diaphragm carrier bearing the sealing
diaphragm, against an assigned valve seat. By this means, even with
high fluid pressure, undesired lifting of the sealing section from
the valve seat is counteracted and high sealing quality is ensured.
At the same time, the sealing diaphragm itself is subject to only
minimal stretching when the sealing section is lifted from the
assigned valve seat by the appropriate switchover movement of the
diaphragm carrier. The reason for this is that at least a portion
of the sealing section belongs to a diaphragm section of the
sealing diaphragm which extends between the mounting diaphragm
section and the outer edge section of the sealing diaphragm fixed
to the valve housing, in a manner not fastened to the diaphragm
carrier, and is therefore able to detach itself from the base
surface of the diaphragm carrier when the diaphragm carrier moves
away from the assigned valve seat during its switchover movement.
This non-fixed diaphragm section is described as the loose
diaphragm section. Whereas the sealing section therefore, for
fluid-tight interaction with the valve seat, is supported
physically by the diaphragm carrier, at least a portion of the
sealing section has scope to lift itself from the base surface of
the diaphragm carrier with which it was previously in contact, or
to detach itself from this base, when the diaphragm carrier is
moved, in the sense of moving away from the valve seat, for the
purpose of opening a fluid connection. Here in particular a pattern
of behaviour may occur which might be described as a folding back
or folding away of the loose diaphragm section. At the same time,
in particular a gap, expanding wedge-like towards the edge of the
base, may open up between the loose diaphragm section and the
diaphragm carrier. Since the sealing diaphragm is not compelled, in
the sections which are able to lift from the diaphragm carrier, to
accompany the switchover movement of the diaphragm carrier to the
full extent, it is subject to relatively low tensile stress. This
results in a high life expectancy for the diaphragm valve, combined
with the opportunity to design the diaphragm valve with compact
dimensions. The fact that a constituent part of the sealing
diaphragm containing at least a portion of the sealing section is
able to detach itself from the diaphragm carrier makes it possible
to use a sealing diaphragm which, in addition to the diaphragm
carrier, needs no special space for deformation in the valve
housing.
[0012] The diaphragm valve may have only one valve member or
several and in particular two valve members. In a design with
several valve members, each valve member expediently includes a
separate diaphragm carrier and a separate sealing diaphragm,
wherein however the sealing diaphragm is a one-piece component of a
uniform diaphragm carrier.
[0013] Advantageous developments of the invention are revealed in
the dependent claims.
[0014] The diaphragm carrier may for example be so designed that
the switchover movement is a pivoting movement. Regarded as
especially expedient, however, is a design in which the switchover
movement of the diaphragm carrier is a linear movement. Such a
diaphragm carrier is in particular plunger-like and has an axial
end face facing the sealing diaphragm and forming the base surface
serving to support the sealing section.
[0015] Preferably the sealing diaphragm is fastened by its mounting
diaphragm section in the area of the base surface of the diaphragm
carrier in such a way that there is radial clearance between this
mounting diaphragm section and the outline of the base surface of
the diaphragm carrier. The section of the sealing diaphragm between
the mounting diaphragm section and the outline of the base surface
is a constituent part of the loose diaphragm section. The mounting
diaphragm section is in particular located centrally in the area of
the base. Especially expedient is a variant in which the mounting
diaphragm section encloses the mounting diaphragm section all round
in an area in front of the base. This leads in particular to an
annular area of the loose diaphragm section, which is movable
relative to the diaphragm carrier during the switchover movement of
the diaphragm carrier, so that it is not compelled to follow the
switchover movement to the diaphragm carrier to the full extent, in
which it would be subject to a high tensile loading.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the valve seat of the diaphragm
valve is annular and closed, so that it frames the passage opening
of a fluid passage. To block this fluid passage, a similarly
annular sealing section of the sealing diaphragm also fits up
against the valve seat. At least one portion of this annular
sealing section is in the form of a part of the loose diaphragm
section, so that it can lift up from the diaphragm carrier when the
latter is moved away from the valve seat to open up the fluid
passage.
[0017] Preferably the sealing diaphragm is so designed that an
annular sealing section cooperating with an annular valve seat is
in its entirety a constituent part of the loose diaphragm section,
so that it is able to lift as a whole from the base surface of the
diaphragm carrier, when the diaphragm carrier moves away from the
valve seat in the course of the switchover movement. In principle,
however, a design is also possible in which the sealing section
cooperating with the valve seat is partly a constituent part of the
mounting diaphragm section and only partly a constituent part of
the loose diaphragm section.
[0018] When the base surface of the diaphragm carrier is viewed in
a plan view, the sealing section lies expediently completely within
the outer contour of the base surface of the diaphragm carrier.
[0019] In a similarly advantageous embodiment of the diaphragm
valve, the valve seat is web-like and extends in such a way between
two opposing side wall sections of the valve chamber that it
divides this valve chamber into two chamber sections lying this
side and that side of the web-like valve seat. The sealing section,
in this case strip-like, belongs at least partly to the loose
diaphragm section. In particular a form of construction is provided
in which the sealing section is formed partly by the mounting
diaphragm section, so that it is able to lift only partially from
the base surface of the diaphragm carrier. The sealing section
expediently has two areas able to lift from the diaphragm carrier
and flanking the mounting diaphragm section on opposite sides.
[0020] Preferably the sealing diaphragm, in the area of the
mounting diaphragm section, is fastened solely in the interior of
the diaphragm carrier. In particular in this connection it is
advantageous if the sealing diaphragm is part of a one-piece
diaphragm body, which has in the area of the mounting diaphragm
section at least one and preferably exactly one mounting extension,
extending from the base surface to engage in the diaphragm carrier.
At the point where the mounting extension engages in the diaphragm
carrier, the base surface has an opening, wherein the base surface
is in particular annular and preferably circular-arc-shaped.
[0021] The fastening of the sealing diaphragm inside the sealing
diaphragm is effected in particular solely on the basis of positive
or friction locking. For example a diaphragm body may, in the
course of its manufacture by injection moulding, be moulded on to
the diaphragm carrier, wherein a mounting extension engaging in the
diaphragm carrier is formed. It is however quite easily possible to
fix the mounting diaphragm section alternatively or additionally by
adhesive bonding to the diaphragm carrier, for example through an
adhesive bond.
[0022] The sealing diaphragm is preferably so designed that it
extends all round the diaphragm carrier along the outer contour of
the base surface of the diaphragm carrier and has a diaphragm outer
section bordering the base surface on the outside and merging into
the outer edge section fixed with sealing to the valve housing.
This diaphragm outer section is expediently covered at its top
which faces away from the valve chamber by a support wall of the
valve chamber, so that it can also withstand high fluid pressures
prevailing in the valve chamber. The support wall expediently has
an orifice through which the diaphragm carrier extends in a manner
which allows the switchover movement, giving the advantage that the
gap between the diaphragm carrier and the support wall can be kept
very small.
[0023] The valve chamber and the sealing diaphragm closing the
valve chamber have in particular a longitudinal shape with a
narrow-sided rounded contour, or expediently have a round contour.
In the valve chamber, the passage openings of the entering fluid
passages are preferably arranged alongside one another wherein, in
the case of an elongated valve chamber they are arranged
consecutively at intervals, in particular in the axial direction of
this valve chamber.
[0024] The diaphragm valve is expediently equipped with
electrically actuable drive means, which serve for actuation of the
valve member and which in particular facilitate the driving of the
diaphragm carrier to perform its switchover movement as required,
and also its holding in the respectively desired position. Such
drive means preferably include at least one electromagnetic device
and preferably also a return spring device which presets a desired
basic position.
[0025] The invention is described in detail below with the aid of
the appended drawing, showing in:
[0026] FIG. 1 a longitudinal section through a preferred embodiment
of the diaphragm valve according to the invention, and having a
web-like valve seat, along section line I-I of FIGS. 2 and 3, and
showing a closed position,
[0027] FIG. 2 the diaphragm valve of FIG. 1 in a longitudinal
section rotated through 90.degree. relative to FIG. 1, and along
section line II-II of FIGS. 1 and 3,
[0028] FIG. 3 a cross-section through the diaphragm valve according
to section line III-III of FIG. 1,
[0029] FIG. 4 the diaphragm valve of FIGS. 1 to 3 in an open
position and in a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIG.
1 along section line IV-IV of FIG. 5,
[0030] FIG. 5 the diaphragm valve adopting the open position in a
longitudinal section according to section line V-V of FIG. 4,
[0031] FIG. 6 the longitudinal section illustrated in FIG. 5, with
an isometric perspective,
[0032] FIG. 7 a further embodiment of the diaphragm valve according
to the invention, with an annular valve seat, wherein a closed
position is shown in a longitudinal section according to section
line VII-VII of FIGS. 8 and 9,
[0033] FIG. 8 the diaphragm valve of FIG. 7 in a longitudinal
section rotated through 90.degree., according to section line
VIII-VIII of FIGS. 7 and 9,
[0034] FIG. 9 a cross-section through the diaphragm valve of FIGS.
7 and 8 according to section line IX-IX of FIG. 7,
[0035] FIG. 10 the diaphragm valve of FIGS. 7 to 9 in an open
position and in a longitudinal section corresponding to FIG. 7
according to section line X-X of FIG. 11,
[0036] FIG. 11 the diaphragm valve of FIGS. 7 to 10 in a
longitudinal section according to section line XI-XI, illustrating
by dot-dash lines a preferred embodiment of electrically actuable
drive means for the valve member, and
[0037] FIG. 12 a further embodiment of the diaphragm valve
according to the invention, with two annular valve seats, in a
sectional view analogous to FIG. 7.
[0038] The diaphragm valve designated in its totality by reference
number 1 has in all embodiments a valve housing 2 and a valve
member 3 mounted in and movable relative to the valve housing 2. In
addition, the diaphragm valve 1 is equipped with electrically
actuable drive means 4, preferably accommodated in the interior of
the valve housing 2 and through which the valve member 3 may be
switched between two possible switching positions. FIGS. 1 and 2
together with 7 and 8 show in each case a first switching position,
which involves a closed position. FIGS. 4 to 6 plus 10 and 11 show
in each case a second switching position, involving by way of
example an open position.
[0039] The valve member 3 is preferably designed as a composite
element, comprised of a diaphragm body 5 and at least one diaphragm
carrier 6 carrying the diaphragm body 5. These components are
fastened together in a manner to be explained below. Whereas the
diaphragm carrier 6 is made of a stiff material, for example of a
rigid plastic material or of metal, the diaphragm body 5 is made of
a flexible and preferably rubber-elastic material. Preferably the
diaphragm body 5 is an elastomer body.
[0040] Inside the valve housing 2 is a hollow space forming a valve
chamber 7. The valve chamber 7 is bounded on one side by the valve
housing 2 and on the other side by a diaphragm-like part of the
diaphragm body 5 designated as the sealing diaphragm 8.
[0041] The valve housing 2 defines a base surface 12 bounding the
valve chamber 7 at the bottom. The base surface 12 is preferably
part of a first housing section 13 of the valve housing 2.
[0042] The sealing diaphragm 8 extends in two dimensions, extending
at an upper side beyond the base surface 12. With an outer edge
section 14 defining the outer contour of the sealing diaphragm 8,
the sealing diaphragm 8 is so fixed to the valve housing 2, with
sealing, that together with the base surface 12 it bounds the
sealed valve chamber 7 from the surrounding area.
[0043] The fluid-tight fixing of the outer edge section 14 is
expediently realised by the firm clamping of this outer edge
section 14 between the first housing section 13 and a second
housing section 15 of the valve housing 2. At the outer edge
section 14, the sealing diaphragm 8 has expediently in this
connection a mounting bead 21 determining the outer contour of the
sealing diaphragm 8. This engages in annular slots formed on the
facing surfaces of the first and second housing sections 13,
15.
[0044] The direction in which the sealing diaphragm 8 lies opposite
the base surface 12 is described below as the vertical direction
16. At right-angles to the vertical direction 16, the valve chamber
7 has a main axis 17 and a lateral axis 18 at right-angles to the
former. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 11, the valve chamber 7 has
preferably an elongated shape, with the main axis 17 forming the
longitudinal axis. In the area of the narrow sides, the valve
chamber 7 is here in particular rounded. FIGS. 1 to 6 show that the
valve chamber may also have a different outline. In this embodiment
the valve chamber 7, viewed in the vertical direction 16, has a
circular outline. The specified outlines apply equally to the
respectively assigned sealing diaphragm 8, wherein the outline of
the sealing diaphragm 8 is determined in particular by the course
of the outer edge section 14.
[0045] To the side, each valve chamber 7 is bounded by a side wall
22 determining the outline referred to above, which extends upwards
above a bottom 23 of the valve chamber 7 facing the sealing
diaphragm 8 and formed on the base surface 12. The diaphragm body 5
has a mounting extension 24, preferably formed in one piece with
the sealing diaphragm 8, and extending away in the vertical
direction 16 towards the diaphragm carrier 6. The diaphragm body 5
is fastened to the diaphragm carrier 6 by means of this mounting
extension 24. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, the mounting
extension 24 is provided in the central section of the sealing
diaphragm 8. Varying from this, in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 11,
it is mounted off-centre on the sealing diaphragm 8 in the axial
direction of the main axis 17.
[0046] The diaphragm carrier 6 is mounted on the side of the
sealing diaphragm 8 opposite the base surface 12 in the vertical
direction 16. The sealing diaphragm 8 therefore lies between the
valve chamber 7 and the diaphragm carrier 6 in the vertical
direction 16.
[0047] In all embodiments, the diaphragm carrier 6 is mounted with
linear movement capability relative to the valve housing 2. The
movement which may be executed by the diaphragm carrier 6 is
subsequently described as the switchover movement 26, because it
acts directly on the switching position of the valve member 3. The
switchover movement 26 is preferably a linear movement, running in
the case of the embodiments in the vertical direction 16.
Accordingly the diaphragm carrier 6 may be moved to and fro in the
vertical direction 16 during execution of a linear switchover
movement 26. In this connection, depending on the direction of
movement, the diaphragm carrier 6 moves towards or away from the
base surface 12.
[0048] A section of the sealing diaphragm 8 accompanies the
switchover movement 26 of the diaphragm carrier 6 without
restriction. This involves a diaphragm section of the sealing
diaphragm 8 described hereafter as the mounting diaphragm section
36, via which the sealing diaphragm 8 is fastened to the diaphragm
carrier 6.
[0049] Common to all the embodiments is that the sealing diaphragm
8, in the area of the mounting diaphragm section 36, is fastened
solely inside the diaphragm carrier 6. For this purpose the
mounting extension 24 is provided directly on the mounting
diaphragm section 36 and engages, from the side of a base surface
38 of the diaphragm carrier 6 facing the sealing diaphragm 8, in a
mounting recess 43 of the diaphragm carrier 6 which is open towards
the base surface 38. The base surface 38 is preferably flat and
extends in particular at right-angles to the vertical direction 16
and/or the direction of the switchover movement 26.
[0050] The mounting extension 24 is so fixed in the mounting recess
43 that it directly accompanies the linear switchover movement 26
of the diaphragm carrier 6. This also applies, consequently, for
the mounting diaphragm section 36 mounted directly on the mounting
extension 24 and lying outside the mounting recess 43. In both
embodiments the mounting diaphragm section 36 is assigned to the
central section of the base surface 38.
[0051] The sealing diaphragm 8 is expediently held to the diaphragm
carrier 6 solely in the area of the mounting diaphragm section 36.
Expressed more precisely, the final connection results from the
interaction between the inner periphery of the mounting recess 43
and the mounting extension 24 dipping into the mounting recess 43.
Between these two components there is in the embodiments an
adhesive-bonded connection, obtained by means of an adhesive which
is not visible in the drawing. Additionally or alternatively,
however, a friction-locked connection is also possible. Moreover
the mounting recess 43 may also be so contoured that it
additionally or alternatively makes a positive-locking connection
in the vertical direction 16 with the mounting extension 24. The
latter may be obtained for example by providing the mounting recess
43 with at least one constriction which engages or presses into a
constricted or wasted circumferential section of the mounting
extension 24 in a direction radial to the vertical direction
16.
[0052] Several fluid passages 45 which pass through the valve
housing 2 open out into the valve chamber 7. In the embodiments of
FIGS. 1 to 11 there are altogether two fluid passages, since the
diaphragm valve 1 is used here as a shut-off valve with a 2/2 valve
function. If a diaphragm valve 1 with greater valve functionality
is to be realised, for example with a 3/2 valve function, then at
least three and preferably exactly three fluid passages lead into
the valve chamber 7. This applies to the embodiment of FIG. 12.
[0053] In the embodiments, two fluid passages 45 may also be
described below, for better distinction, as the first and second
fluid passage 45a, 45b. Both fluid passages 45a, 45b expediently
pass through the base surface 12 and open out at the bottom 23 into
the valve chamber 7, each with a passage opening 46. For better
distinction, here too the passage openings 46 may be designated as
first and second passage openings 46a, 46b.
[0054] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 11, depending on the
switching position of the valve member 3, the two fluid passages
45a, 45b may either be separated by the diaphragm valve 1 with
fluid-tightness from one another, or else have a fluidic connection
with one another through the valve chamber 7. The latter occurs in
the open position of the valve member 3 referred to earlier. To
break the fluid connection, the valve member 3 is shifted into the
closed position.
[0055] In order to exercise this valve functionality, the valve
member 3 cooperates with a valve seat 47 mounted immovably relative
to the valve housing 2. The illustrated diaphragm valves 1 differ
from one another in the structure of their valve seat 47. The valve
seat 47 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 is web-like in
form and may therefore also be described below as the web-like
valve seat 47a. Each valve seat 47 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to
11 and FIG. 12 is annular and closed and may therefore be described
below as the annular valve seat 47b.
[0056] The web-like valve seat 47a extends in the valve chamber 7
transversely to the vertical direction 16 between opposite side
wall sections 22a, 22b, in particular diametrical, of the side wall
22. In this way the valve chamber 7 is divided by the valve seat
47a into two chamber sections 52a, 52b, in which is to be found one
of the two passage openings 46a, 46b. Preferably the valve seat 47a
has a linear longitudinal extent, which may be well seen in FIG.
5.
[0057] In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 11, only the first passage
opening 46a is framed by an annular valve seat 47b, which is
preferably raised in the manner of a collar at the bottom 23,
extending upwards from that point in the vertical direction 16
towards the sealing diaphragm 8.
[0058] In all embodiments the sealing diaphragm 8 extends over the
valve seat 47. At the same time it has, in a section opposite the
valve seat 47 in the vertical direction 16 a sealing section 53,
which is provided before the base surface 38 in the vertical
direction 16 and which, in execution of the switchover movement 26
and depending on the direction of movement, may be pressed by the
diaphragm carrier 6 on to the assigned valve seat 47 with a
fluid-tight seal, or else lifted from the valve seat 47. In the
closed position of the valve member 3, the sealing section 53 fits
up with sealing against the assigned valve seat 47, while in the
open position of the valve member 3 it is lifted from this valve
seat 47.
[0059] The sealing section 53 is that portion of the sealing
diaphragm 8 which may be brought into contact with the assigned
valve seat 47. Its shape therefore corresponds to that of the valve
seat 47. Accordingly, the sealing section 53 of FIGS. 1 to 6 has a
strip-like sealing section 53a, and in the embodiments of FIGS. 7
to 12 it has an annular sealing section 53b. Each sealing section
53 lies opposite the valve seat 47 in the vertical direction
vertical direction 16.
[0060] In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 11, the annular valve seat
47b lies expediently wholly within the outer contour 54 of the base
surface 38 of the diaphragm carrier 6 facing the sealing diaphragm
8. In both embodiments this base surface is formed by an axially
oriented end face of the diaphragm carrier 6, which is preferably
plunger-like in form. Even with a web-like valve seat 47a it is
according to FIGS. 1 to 6 advantageous if the web-like valve seat
47a is covered at least approximately over its whole length by the
base surface 38 of the diaphragm carrier 6.
[0061] The outer edge section 14 fixed to the valve housing 2 and
the mounting diaphragm section 36 of the sealing diaphragm 8 are
arranged transversely to the vertical direction 16, with clearance
from one another. Preferably the outer edge section 14 encloses the
mounting diaphragm section 36 all round in the manner of an
enclosed frame.
[0062] The sealing diaphragm 8 also has a special diaphragm
section, described below as the loose diaphragm section 55. This
loose diaphragm section 55 extends between the mounting diaphragm
section 36 and the outer edge section 14; it is not fastened to the
diaphragm carrier 6 except via the mounting diaphragm section 36
and is loosely mounted in front of the base surface 38. The sole
connection between the sealing diaphragm 8 and the diaphragm
carrier 6 effecting any fixing is therefore provided by the
mounting diaphragm section 36. While this mounting diaphragm
section 36 directly accompanies the switchover movement of the
diaphragm carrier 6, the loose diaphragm section 55 is able to lift
up from the base surface 38 when the diaphragm carrier 6 moves from
the closed position into the open position, at the same time moving
away from the valve seat 47. The sealing section 53 belongs at
least in part to the loose diaphragm section 55. Therefore the
sealing section 53 may also be lifted at least partially from the
base surface 38 in the direction of the switchover movement 26. For
the part of the sealing section 53 belonging to the loose diaphragm
section 55, also described below as the unfixed part 32 of the
sealing section 53, it therefore applies that, in the closed
position of the valve member 3 it is supported by the base surface
38 of the diaphragm carrier 6 and is pressed against the valve seat
47, while in the open position of the valve member 3 it is lifted
not only from the valve seat 47 but also in an advantageous manner
from the base surface 38 of the diaphragm carrier 6.
[0063] In FIGS. 3 and 9, the portion of the loose diaphragm section
55 lying within the contour 54 of the base surface 38 is made
recognizable by dot-dash shading 50. It is mounted in front of the
base surface 38 in the vertical direction 16 and frames the
mounting diaphragm section 36, preferably coaxially. Here it may
also be easily recognized that the mounting diaphragm section 36 is
arranged expediently all-round with radial clearance from the outer
contour 54 of the base surface 38.
[0064] When the loose diaphragm section 55 lifts from the diaphragm
carrier 6, this expediently results in a roughly wedge-shaped
widening gap 34 between these two components, from the mounting
extension 24 towards the contour 54, and very clearly visible in
FIGS. 4 to 6, 10 and 11.
[0065] Due to the fact that the sealing diaphragm 8 is not fastened
to the diaphragm carrier 6, except at the mounting diaphragm
section 36, the sections of the sealing diaphragm 8 adjoining the
mounting diaphragm section 36, in particular the loose diaphragm
section 55, are not compelled to accompany the switchover movement
26 of the diaphragm carrier 6 to the full extent, which reduces the
tensile loading of the sealing diaphragm 8 and has a positive
effect on life expectancy.
[0066] The diaphragm valve 1 may be so designed that only a portion
of the sealing section 53 forms part of the loose diaphragm section
55. By way of example, this applies to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to
6. The sealing section 53a, here strip-like in form, extends in
part over the mounting diaphragm section 36 and in part over the
loose diaphragm section 55. Accordingly the sealing section 53 has
a fixed part 33 formed by the mounting diaphragm section 36 and at
least one unfixed part 32 formed by the loose diaphragm section 55.
In the embodiment, in which the strip-like sealing section 53a
extends diametrically beyond the base surface 38, consequently only
the two unfixed parts 32 of the sealing section 53 are able to fold
back from the diaphragm carrier 6 during the switchover movement
26.
[0067] The diaphragm valve 1 may also be so designed that the
sealing section 53 in its totality is a part of the loose diaphragm
section 55. This is the case in the embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 12.
The sealing section 53, 53b, here annular in form, extends with
lateral clearance and in particular with radial clearance from the
mounting diaphragm section 36 around this mounting diaphragm
section 36, so that it is able to lift completely from the base
surface 38 of the diaphragm carrier 6 when the latter moves away
from the annular valve seat 47b in the course of its switchover
movement 26.
[0068] The loose diaphragm section 55 expediently includes a
diaphragm outer section 56 which, viewed in the vertical direction
16, frames the outer contour 54 of the base surface 38 all round
and merges into the outer edge section 14. The embodiments of FIGS.
7 to 12 show such a design. Since this diaphragm outer section 56
is not covered by the diaphragm carrier 6, it receives no support
from the diaphragm carrier 6 against the fluid pressure prevailing
in the valve chamber 7. So that equally the diaphragm outer section
56 is subject to no overloading even at high fluid pressures, it is
expediently covered on its upper side facing away from the valve
chamber 7 by a support wall 48 of the valve housing 2 which
provides a supporting effect relative to the diaphragm outer
section 56. The support wall 48 is preferably a part of the second
housing section 15. It extends from the outer side facing the outer
edge section 14 over the sealing diaphragm 8 and preferably as far
as the immediate vicinity of the diaphragm carrier 6, which
expediently passes through a wall opening 44 in the support wall 48
with linear sliding capability.
[0069] The axial support of the diaphragm outer section 56 is
possible without impairing the functioning of the valve member 3,
since the sealing diaphragm 8 has in the area of the loose
diaphragm section 55 the necessary freedom of movement to ensure
the lifting movement of the diaphragm carrier 6 including the
assigned sealing section 53.
[0070] The diaphragm valve 1 may also be so designed that the part
of the sealing diaphragm 8 reaching as far as the outer contour 54
immediately adjoins the outer edge section 14 fixed to the valve
housing 2. This applies to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6. Here the
diaphragm carrier 6 covers with its base surface 38 the entire
cross-sectional surface of the valve chamber 7.
[0071] On account of the scope for the loose diaphragm section 55
to lift from the diaphragm carrier 6 or to fold back or away from
the diaphragm carrier 6, there is the advantageous option of
producing the sealing diaphragm 8 with a flat structure with no
outward bulges. The best example of this is the design of FIGS. 1
to 6, in which the sealing diaphragm 8, apart from the mounting
bead 21, has a flat shape with substantially constant wall
thickness. Equally the sealing diaphragm 8, in particular in the
area of the outer contour 54 of the diaphragm carrier 6, may have a
deformation section 60, preferably annular viewed in the vertical
direction 16, and having at least one outwards bulge.
[0072] The electrical drive means 4 provided in the embodiments of
FIGS. 1 to 11 expediently include in each case a spring device 57
which rests between the valve housing 2 and the diaphragm carrier 6
and which constantly presses on the diaphragm carrier 6 so that the
latter is biased into the closed position referred to earlier. This
closed position therefore defines the basic position of the
diaphragm valve 1 for both embodiments.
[0073] To switch over into the open position, the drive means 4
contain in particular an electromagnetic device 58, shown
schematically, which contains an electromagnetically drivable drive
member 63, formed by an electromagnetically drivable armature of
the electromagnetic device 58. This armature is integral with the
diaphragm carrier 6 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 11. On
activation of the electromagnetic device 58 a magnetic actuating
force is generated, which moves the diaphragm carrier 6 into the
open position, overcoming the restoring force of the spring device
57. The spring device 57 is expediently part of the electromagnetic
device 58.
[0074] Naturally the drive means 4 may also be of another type than
that described here.
[0075] In the embodiment of the diaphragm valve 1 depicted in FIG.
12, a single diaphragm body 5 is divided functionally into two
sealing diaphragms 8, each connected to a separate diaphragm
carrier 6, so that each may cooperate with a separate valve seat
47, 47b.
[0076] Both diaphragm carriers 6 here are expediently plunger-like
in form and guided to move linearly parallel to one another. They
are so connected in drive terms that the one diaphragm carrier 6
approaches the assigned valve seat 47, 47b when the other diaphragm
carrier 6 is lifted from the assigned valve seat 47, 47b. The
driving connection may be realised in particular by means of a
rocker-like, pivotable operating lever 62, which may be driven by
the drive means 4 to a to-and-fro pivoting movement 65, and which
has two driving arms 67, 68, each cooperating with one of the two
diaphragm carriers 6. Thus, in this embodiment, the pivoting
movement 65 of the operating lever 62 is converted into the linear
switchover movement of the two diaphragm carriers 6.
[0077] The embodiment of FIG. 12 differs from that of FIGS. 7 to 11
in particular through an additional third fluid passage 45c, which
leads into a third passage opening 46c in the valve chamber 7 and
which, like the first passage opening 46a, is assigned a valve seat
47, once again involving an annular valve seat 47b. Over each of
these two valve seats 47b extends one of the two sealing diaphragms
8 integrated in the one-piece diaphragm body 5. In addition, lying
opposite each of these annular valve seats 47b is one of the two
diaphragm carriers 6, to which in each case one of the two sealing
diaphragms 8, i.e. in each case one diaphragm section of the
diaphragm body 5, is fastened in a similar manner in the area of a
mounting diaphragm section 36, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to
11. One may say that in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the functional
unit described with the aid of FIGS. 7 to 11, comprising a
diaphragm carrier 6, a sealing diaphragm 8 and an annular valve
seat 47b, is present in duplicate while, by means of the operating
lever 62, actuation is effected in the manner described above, and
wherein the two sealing diaphragms are combined in one piece to
form the diaphragm body 5.
[0078] Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the second fluid
passage 45b may be connected alternately to either the first fluid
passage 45a or the third fluid passage 45c and at the same time
isolated from the other respective fluid passage 45c or 45a.
[0079] The drive means 4 in the embodiment of FIG. 12 are also
preferably electrically actuable, and expediently include an
electromagnetic device 58, indicated schematically, and an
electromagnetically drivable drive member 63. The drive member 63
exerts on the operating lever 62 a driving force which generates
the pivoting movement 65, wherein it expediently has to overcome
the resetting force of a spring device 57.
[0080] Visible at 66 are pivot bearing means, through which the
operating lever 62 is mounted pivotably relative to the valve
housing 2 to make possible the pivoting movement 65.
[0081] Otherwise, components in FIG. 12 which correspond to those
of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 11 are provided with the same
reference numbers as in FIGS. 7 to 11. Also the statements made on
FIGS. 7 to 11 apply accordingly to this extent for the embodiment
of FIG. 12.
[0082] As a variation from the above embodiment, one or two
diaphragm carriers 6 may also be fixed components of an altogether
rocker-like, pivotable actuating element.
[0083] In the embodiments the diaphragm carrier 6 is made in one
piece. Varying from this, however, a multi-part and in particular
two-part construction is also possible. Consequently the sealing
diaphragm 8 may for example be so fitted to a multi-part diaphragm
carrier that it is pushed into the diaphragm carrier and then fixed
in place by a sleeve, which simultaneously forms a bearing means
for an axle shaft serving for pivotable bearing of the diaphragm
carrier. The sealing diaphragm 8 or the diaphragm body 5 may also
be fixed between two parts o the diaphragm carrier 6 by
clamping.
* * * * *